Coroner: Missing man found dead inside car, 60-feet down embankment

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WACH) — The missing Fairfield County business owner was found dead after he had been missing for over a month.

According to the Fairfield County Coroner, 52-year-old Douglas William Sumner was pronounced dead after his body was found in his wrecked car off of Highway 21 North around 1 p.m. Tuesday, in Fairfield County.

According to the sheriff's office, Sumner was last seen Oct. 22 around noon in Rock Hill in his black Dodge pick-up truck.

At this time investigators believe Sumner ran off the road down a 60-foot embankment where his truck hit a tree.

The incident remains under investigation by the Coroner's office, SLED agents and the SC Highway Patrol.

Sheriff Montgomery of the Fairfield County Sheriff's Department released the following statement Tuesday:

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Sumner. This has been a tough time for his mother and others who loved and cared for him. We also want to thank the public who provided us with numerous tips regarding Mr. Sumner’s disappearance and assure everyone that we followed up on every lead that we received. Because the South Carolina Highway Patrol is the lead agency in this investigation now, I will refer any questions to them or to the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office. Thanks for your understanding in our effort to respect their investigative processes.